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In this paper, we report synthesis and characterization of a novel multimodality (MRI/fluorescence) probe for pH sensing and imaging. A multifunctional polymer was derived from poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) (PHPMA) and integrated with a naphthalimide-based-ratiometric fluorescence probe and a gadolinium–1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid complex (Gd–DOTA complex). The polymer was characterized using UV–vis absorption spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectrofluorophotometry, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and confocal microscopy for optical and MRI-based pH sensing and cellular imaging. In vitro labeling of macrophage J774 and esophageal CP-A cell lines shows the polymer’s ability to be internalized in the cells. The transverse relaxation time (T2) of the polymer was observed to be pH-dependent, whereas the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) was not. The pH probe in the polymer shows a strong fluorescence-based ratiometric pH response with emission window changes, exhibiting blue emission under acidic conditions and green emission under basic conditions, respectively. This study provides new materials with multimodalities for pH sensing and imaging.

A new two-layer sensor film was constructed for sensing glucose based on glucose oxidase and oxygen sensing material. The first layer of film containing the oxygen sensor and intra-reference material was polymerized, then the second layer of glucose oxidase and glutaraldehyde was formed on the oxygen sensor layer. The two-layer sensor film has a resolution up to 0.05mM and a detection range from 0 to 5mM to glucose. The effects of pH and temperature on the sensing performance were systematically investigated. The selective detection of glucose among other monosaccharides, such as fructose, mannose and galactose indicated that the sensing film has excellent selectivity. The prepared sensor was successfully applied for glucose sample detection of glucose concentration in artificial tears.

Flexible electrochromic energy storage devices (FECESDs) for powering flexible electronics have attracted considerable attention. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are one kind of the most promising flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) materials for the emerging flexible devices. Currently, fabricating FECESD based on AgNWs FTEs is still hindered by their intrinsic poor electrochemical stability. To address this issue, a hybrid AgNWs/Co(OH)2/PEDOT:PSS electrode is proposed. The PEDOT:PSS could not only improve the resistance against electrochemical corrosion of AgNWs, but also work as functional layer to realize the color-changing and energy storage properties. Moreover, the Co(OH)2interlayer further improved the color-changing and energy storage performance. Based on the improvement, we assembled the symmetrical FECESDs. Under the same condition, the areal capacitance (0.8 mF cm−2) and coloration efficiency (269.80 cm2C−1) of AgNWs/Co(OH)2/PEDOT:PSS FECESDs were obviously higher than AgNWs/PEDOT:PSS FECESDs. Furthermore, the obtained FECESDs exhibited excellent stability against the mechanical deformation. The areal capacitance remained stable during 1000 times cyclic bending with a 25 mm curvature radius. These results demonstrated the broad application potential of the AgNWs/Co(OH)2/PEDOT:PSS FECESD for the emerging portable and multifunctional electronics.

Lozenge-shaped poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) single crystals, showing spiral growth, were obtained from a dilute ethanol solution. The crystals gave well-resolved electron diffraction patterns from which the reciprocal lattice parameters a∗=1.305nm−1,b∗=2.085nm−1and γ∗=90°could be determined. Systematic absences occurred at every odd reflection along the two orthogonal axes a∗and b∗. Therefore, the P(4HB) electron diffraction pattern is consistent with a p2ggtwo-dimensional symmetry. The unit cell of P(4HB) is orthorhombic with space group P212121and lattice constants a=0.775±0.002nm,b=0.477±0.002nmand c(fiberaxis)=1.199±0.002nm,which is determined by X-ray fiber diagram of a stretched-annealed film combined with electron diffraction patterns of single crystals. There are two chains in one unit cell, which exist in antiparallel arrangement.

Morphological changes of solution‐grown poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate] lamellar crystals during heating were directly investigated by atomic force microscopy. The thickening of lamellar crystals was further visualized by enzymatic degradation of less‐ordered crystal regions in thermally treated lamellar crystals. The morphological changes of lamellar crystals induced by thermal treatment are due to recrystallization.

Single-chain single crystals of gutta-percha have been observed by transmission electron microscopy of atomizer-sprayed particles deposited from a very dilute solution in chloroform onto a carbon film which had a filter paper wetted with ethanol in contact with its under side. Selected-area electron diffraction patterns of crystals having no definite crystal profiles showed that the crystals were of the low-melting crystalline form and that the chain segments in the single crystals were standing up from the substrate during crystallization. In cases of single crystals showing sharply defined crystal profiles, electron diffraction patterns showed that they were neither of the low-melting form nor the high-melting form. The structure of this new crystalline modification needs further studies.

A new series of chiral Schiff's bases containing 2-hydroxybenzilideneaniline moieties and their copper complexes were synthesized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and EPR measurement. The results show that most of the Schiff's bases and only two of the copper complexes exhibited chiral smectic liquid crystal phases.

Five new chiral liquid crystal systems induced by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between 4-[(s)-2-chloro-3-methyl]butyroyloxy-4'-stilbazole (MBSB, proton acceptor) and 4-alkoxybenzoic acids (nBA, proton donors) were prepared. Their liquid crystalline properties were investigated by DSC and polarized optical microscopy. Chiral nematic and chiral smectic phases were observed, and the thermal stability of one complex was studied through temperature dependent infrared spectroscopy.

The synthesis of three new series of chiral Schiff's bases containing benzilideneaniline and 2-hydroxybenzilideneaniline moieties as mesogenic cores is presented. Differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements were used to study the phase transition temperatures and behaviour. The results reveal that most of these materials show chiral smectic mesomorphism.